Zynga co-founder to leave
Zynga exec

One of Three Zynga Co-Founders Due to Leave the Social Gaming Giant

Justin Waldron is to step away from Zynga in another massive shakeup for the social gaming company, after their plans to open a new mobile casino in Nevada failed to come to fruition.

Waldron had been with the company for six and a half years, after being approached by the two other co-founders Eric Schiermeyer and Mark Pincus to create a poker game with a social side for the company. Waldron failed to confirm the reasons for his departure, or where his next step would be.

Zynga has struggled in recent times as it strove to find its true place in the world of social gaming. After flirting with the idea of real money mobile slots, the company’s share price plummeted, resulting in the company pulling out of a bid for a Nevada online gambling license.

Since then, Zynga have returned to their roots developing social mobile arcade games, but still retain that urge to monetize the social sphere.

Justin Waldron did speak briefly about his departure on Facebook, commenting: “I’ve decided it’s time to leave Zynga and venture off on my own again. It’s been six-and-a-half years since we pushed the button to launch our first game, and each moment since has been magic. It’s incredibly humbling to have worked with such a talented team. I am grateful to have had the chance to help build a company that touched so many people.”